Graphical Problem with 1st and 2nd Derivaties

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a graphical problem involving the first and second derivatives of a function. Participants are analyzing the implications of the first derivative's positivity on the behavior of the original function and attempting to determine the maximum and minimum values of both the function and its second derivative based on a provided graph.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that since the first derivative f'(x) is positive for every x in the graph, the original function f is increasing, leading to the conclusion that f(-5) is the lowest and f(5) is the highest.
  • Another participant questions whether the maximum of the second derivative f''(x) is at x=5 and the minimum at x=0.
  • A different participant suggests that the maximum of f''(x) occurs at f''(-5) based on the slope of f', and proposes that f''(1) might be the minimum since it is the only point where the slope of f' appears negative.
  • Participants agree on the increasing nature of f based on the positivity of f', but there is uncertainty regarding the values of the second derivative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the function f is increasing over the domain due to the positivity of the first derivative. However, there is disagreement and uncertainty regarding the maximum and minimum values of the second derivative, with multiple interpretations presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion relies on visual interpretation of a graph, which may introduce subjective elements. The assumptions regarding the behavior of the derivatives are based on the graphical representation, which may not be fully detailed in the text.

Yankel
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Hello all,

I have a problem, in which the graph of the first derivative is given (forgive me for the x-axis scale, my drawing skills are not too good).

View attachment 6379

I need to tell, which of the points (on the x-axis) of the function itself, has the highest and lowest values, and which of the points of the second derivative function, has the highest and lowers values.

I know that when the first derivative is positive, the function f is increasing, and when it is negative, it is decreasing.

The derivative f'(x) is positive for every x in the graph, this means that f is increasing and therefore f(-5) is the lowest and f(5) is the highest.

I don't know how to solve the second derivative.

Can you please assist ?

Thank you !
 

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Is it correct to say that the max of f''(x) is at x=5 and the min of f''(x) is at x=0 ?
 
Yankel said:
Is it correct to say that the max of f''(x) is at x=5 and the min of f''(x) is at x=0 ?

I would say, going by the graph, that:

$$f''_{\max}=f''(-5)$$

As that's where the slope of $f'$ seems to be the greatest. For $f''_{\min}$, you have to pick from the given choices, and I would choose $f''(1)$ as that's the only point given where the slope of $f'$ is negative.

For the first question, since $f'>0$ over the entire range then $f$ is increasing over that domain, so:

$$f_{\min}=f(-5)$$

$$f_{\max}=f(5)$$
 
Thank you.
 

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